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Action Alert

Survivors can't wait. Congress must support the CVF Stabilization Act and prevent catastro [Read More]

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[CLOSED] Urge Your Senators to Oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Amendment

October 18, 2011

Background

A dangerous firearms bill, Concealed Carry Reciprocity, will be brought for a vote in the Senate this week, possibly as early as this afternoon.  This legislation would require states to recognize concealed carry permits granted by other states, even those that have weaker requirements for who can carry a concealed firearm, effectively reducing the gun laws in all states to the “lowest common denominator” of the states with the weakest laws on carrying concealed weapons.  This would weaken some states’ concealed firearm regulations and significantly compromise the safety of domestic violence victims in communities across the nation.

Studies have shown that the presence of firearms significantly increases the lethality of incidents of domestic violence.  In recognition of this grim reality, many states have chosen to enact firearm prohibitions that go beyond current federal law. These state-specific restrictions on convicted perpetrators help to ensure the ongoing safety of the victims, their families, and communities.  This measure would effectively override the laws of these states and others and force them to accept concealed carry permits from states that issue permits to perpetrators who are not prohibited by federal law—putting the safety of victims at greater risk.

This bill will likely be attached to the FY 2012 appropriations bills that will be voted on this week, perhaps as early as today.  The appropriations bills, which include federal funding for domestic and sexual violence programs, are considered “must-pass” legislation and supporters of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity will try to attach their legislation to the appropriations bill to improve its chances of passing.

We need your advocacy today to defeat this harmful legislation!

Take Action

Call your Senators today and urge them to oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Amendment, which would put victims of domestic violence at increased risk and override your state’s right to decide who can carry a hidden, loaded gun.

Call 1-866-997-6651 to reach the United States Capitol Switchboard, and ask them to transfer you to your Senator’s office.  If you don’t know who your Senators are, go to http://www.senate.gov and click on your state in the drop-down menu in the top right corner of the page.

When your Senator’s office answers the phone say:

  • “Hello, my name is _______ and I am a constituent, from [include your state and town].
  • “I urge Senator [last name] to oppose the dangerous Concealed Carry Reciprocity Amendment.  This amendment would put victims of domestic violence at increased risk and override [your state]’s right to decide who can carry a hidden, loaded gun.  By opposing this amendment, Senator [last name] will demonstrate his/her commitment to keeping victims, their families and communities safe.”
  • “Thank you.”

Be sure to place two calls and speak with both of your Senators’ offices.

Next Steps

Similar legislation is currently active in the House of Representatives and we expect that it will be voted on within the next two weeks.  We will send an alert asking you to make calls to your Representatives when it is closer to the scheduled vote.

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy in support of domestic violence victims.